Meet our 2017 Grassroots Giving photography competition winner

23 May 2017

Newcastle GP Nicholas Posner has been announced as the winner of a national photography competition which searched for amateur talent.

Skipton Building Society called for photographers across the country to capture images of the community groups that were awarded £500 funding from its Grassroots Giving scheme in 2016.

Entries were received nationwide, showcasing the winning groups and their fantastic contribution to work being carried out in communities throughout the UK. The incredibly high standard of this year’s entries made the judging process tough for the panel which included last year’s winner, Derbyshire-based Sarah Peet who said: “The shortlisted photographs were all wonderful and such variety and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult.

“But Nicholas’s image showed such creativity and drama it shone out as the winner. It captures the spirit and fun music provides, both for the creator and the listener. I can almost feel the music through their image.

“I congratulate all the finalists, really inspiring images of groups who are making a positive contribution to their communities. Well done to everyone involved.”

Dr Posner, who is based at the Parkway Medical Group, in Newcastle, took his winning photograph of the Semitones Music Group over Christmas at the Eldon Square shopping centre. His wife, Ewa, set up the Semitones seven years ago to play at local nursing homes and sheltered accommodation.

He said: “I took up photography at the age of 13 and won a couple of competitions in my teens. So it’s nice to be winning again now I’m 50! Over the years I’ve photographed high profile names, including Tony Blair, Bobby Charlton and Terry Wogan, so it’s nice to win with an image of a group which my wife founded.

Dr Posner and his wife visited Skipton Building Society’s Newcastle branch and received £200 in photographic gift vouchers from branch manager Sarah Thompson.